Download Speed Problem

For some reason I ALWAYS have a slow download speed problem. I've tried moving the router, making it higher, using an ethernet cable, scanning for viruses, i've done nearly everything. I should 'get up to 8MB'. My dad gets about 1MB+ on his Apple Mac but I get 170KB/S Max, mainly 50-120KB/s though. The network is secure, no interference, no spyware.. My last guess is that windows is slowing it down.

 

some ideas

have you tried changing the channel ? Moving router a foot over ? How far is router from the computer - distance plays a big part .
Are you testing internet speeds or transfer speeds between computer ?
The internet is usually the limiting factor when browsing not the router speed.
If you are talking transfer speeds then that is another story but even then the numbers on the box have nothing to do with reality. Speeds at best are 1/2 of those numbers -overhead generally takes half
Several ideas


- spyware ?
- set router to g only
- use netstumbler to detect silent intruders / interference
interference can be sporadic
a b card on your network can bring whole network speeds down
you are not clear if your father's computer is on your network or another network
if you are browsing it depends where you are browsing. The uploads on the other end will be the limiting factor. Generallly isps limit upload to 10 % of download speeds
internet speed test: http://www.speedtest.net/

if you are on dsl ( phone company broadband) , speeds are constant throughout the day but vary depending how far you are away from the neighborhood box , and how far that box is away from the phone company center

- if you are on cable broadband - then the connection is a shared network.
It will slow down during peak periods ( after school) 4 am is faster
However the congestion speed slowdown do not seem to be such a problem , except in sales lit from the dsl companies

check this link for speeding cable network speeds

http://askmarvin.ca/introduction.html

i know if the proxy is manually put on my speed doubles in the tests
whether it does in real life ????

- lastly if your father's apple speeds are greater - could it be the router brand. Using a matching brand of router and wireless network adapater can often make a big difference as well.

also to increase speed of browsing try open dns
also check the drivers on your wireless network adapter - if new drivers have been issued
also change ssid from defaults , even if to add a digit
also turn on encryption to rule out intruders , accidental or otherwise

 

You've asked me alot of things that I've already done .. spyware, checking for intruders etc. I have NO idea what setting a router to 'g' only is, my PC is about 10ft away from my PC, it doesn't make a difference if I move it nearer. Speedtest gave me 1400 Downsteam and 400kb/s upstream. No idea what 'B Card' is, but I don't have one of them. Cable AND Wireless are the same speed. The speed is the same at ANY TIME, but generally slower after school as you said. We're using the same router, same internet... =\.